If we find that there is a linear correlation between the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and the global temperature, does that indicate that changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide cause changes in the global temperature?
a. no. the presence of a linear correlation between two variables does not imply that one of the variables is the cause of the other variables.
b. yes. the presence of a linear correlation between two variables implies that one of the variables is the cause of the other variables.